SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Identifies Top Spas in the World

Ampthill, United Kingdom, October 27, 2010 --(PR.com)-- SpaFinder, the global spa and wellness resource, has unveiled the winners of its 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards - honouring spa-goers’ favourite spas across the globe, along with their top ten picks in 31 unique categories.

Based on votes submitted worldwide at SpaFinder’s global websites and by readers of SpaFinder publications, Scotland’s famous Gleneagles hotel took top honours in the UK for the first time; with readers raving about its incredible location, luxurious accommodation and great range of outdoor activities including golf, horseback riding and tennis.

“This year’s winners clearly demonstrate that a new generation of spas, and many ‘fresh faces,’ are attracting and wowing global travellers even while some of the tried and true continue to inspire,” said Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder. “Readers’ Choice is unique among awards programmes in that it reflects the real opinions of real-world spa-goers. And now that there are more than 15,000 hotel, resort and destination spas worldwide, whether the spa is a repeat or first-time winner, it’s an extraordinary honour.”

Award Recipients
In addition to nations traditionally recognised by the Awards, ten new spa markets were added in 2010: Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. New Category Awards include “Favourite Day Spa,” “Best New Getaway Spa,” “Favourite Spa Treatment” and “Favourite Spa Product Brand.”

An asterisk (*) denotes a first-time winner in that awards category.

2010 Crystal Award Winners (Top Spas by Continent)
The Crystal Award (the ultimate Readers’ Choice honour) recognises the number-one spa on each continent.

Africa: One&Only Cape Town* (Cape Town, South Africa)
Asia: Ananda in the Himalayas* (Narendra Nagar, India)
Australia: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Queensland, Australia)
Europe: Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin* (Berlin, Germany)
North America: Golden Door* (California, United States)
South America: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa (Gramado, Brazil)
2010 Country/Region Winners
Awards were given for the favourite spa in 35 countries/regions. In addition to the Crystal Award (continent) winners named above (also taking top honours in their country), here are spa-goers’ global favourites:

Argentina: Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
Austria: The Balance Resort*
Bulgaria: Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko
Canada: Ste. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa
Caribbean: Parrot Cay* (Turks and Caicos)
Central America: Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort (Costa Rica)
Chile: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago
China (Hong Kong): Four Seasons Hotel*
China (Mainland): The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing*
Cyprus: Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort
The Czech Republic: Mandarin Oriental, Prague
Egypt: Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria
France: Guerlain Spa at Trianon Palace Versailles
Greece: Porto Elounda De Luxe Resort
Hungary: Danubius Hotel Gellért
Indonesia: Conrad Bali*
Ireland: Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa*
Italy: Lefay Resort & Spa Lago Di Garda*
Japan: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo*
Malaysia: Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Maldives: One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
Mexico: Rancho La Puerta
Morocco: La Mamounia
The Philippines: The Farm at San Benito*
Portugal: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Russia: The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Scandinavia: Blue Lagoon* (Iceland)
Singapore: Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Singapore
South Pacific Islands: Four Seasons Resort and Spa Bora Bora*
Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic
Switzerland: VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa
Thailand: Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa
Turkey: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
United Arab Emirates: Burj Al Arab
United Kingdom: The Gleneagles Hotel* (Scotland)

2010 Category Award Winners

Spas (and their specialties) have never been more diverse. To help consumers identify the best spa for their specific needs, SpaFinder readers also cast votes for their favourite spas across 31 unique categories, from “Best for Affordability” to “Best for Men” to “Best for Romance.”

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Notes to editors
For more information please contact:
Nicola Smith, SpaFinder EMEA
+44 (0) 870 121 6066
Nicola@spafindereurope.com

About SpaFinder
SpaFinder is the expert in all things spa. As the world’s largest spa media, marketing, and gifting company, SpaFinder connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide.

SpaFinder’s media properties include award-winning SpaFinder websites (www.spafinder.co.uk) and the worldwide spa directory, Global SpaFinder. SpaFinder Gift Vouchers and Cards are redeemable at over 6,000 spas and salons worldwide and are available at thousands of retail outlets. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in New York with offices in the UK and Japan.